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Seven Brothers

Marjo Kuusela

A new perspective on a familiar story is born when the riotous brothers of Finnish lore collide with the world of ballet. In the work's first performances in the 1980s, the male energy of the Finnish National Ballet's performance of Seven Brothers captivated audiences in Finland and abroad.

Intimidated by the rigid behaviour standards of their nearby village community, the seven brothers return to their isolated home in the forest - and dance. "I sought to open a window on the world of boys: earthy and rooted, yet lively," explains choreographer Marjo Kuusela. The 2013 revival of Seven Brothers features a new visual look and the dance material has been adapted to suit a new generation of dancers. "We seek to employ classical ballet technique, the brothers do pirouette eventually. The feminine influence is present throughout, in the young men's thoughts and in the animals of the forest, not to mention the famous Viertola bulls - or in this case, a herd of cows!"